How far is the German public willing to accept anti-Semitic language and is it is willing to unmask the anti-Semitism of so-called “Israel critics”.

The publication of the Simon Wiesenthal Center’s 2012 top ten of anti-Semitic slurs has caused a big stir in Germany because one of Germany’s most prominent journalists, Jakob Augstein, editor of the weekly Freitag and columnist at most important German news site Speigel Online, was on the list. Interestingly, the reaction was not shock about the fact that a German journalist has written anti-Semitic diatribes but it was almost unanimous rejection of the accusation and vindication of the writer.

The fact that almost 70 years after the end of Nazi Germany again a German journalist could be found among the worst anti-Semitic leaders of the world didn’t make German politicians, journalists and public opinion think for one moment. To the contrary, instantly after the publication dozens of op-eds and statements appeared that exculpated Jakob Augstein and his despicable pieces.

Even more worrying is that Germany is shooting the messengers – namely the SWC and the German-Jewish journalist Henryk M. Broder – without understanding their message. There was a widespread feeling, particularly in the media, that one of their own was attacked by (foreign) Jewish trouble makers. One couldn’t help feeling that a strange mood of “Volksgemeinschaft” was forming amidst the debate.